Date: Thu, 9 Dec 1999 14:27:08 -0500
From: David Elliot
Subject: [NGLTF PRESS] Policy Institute report shows support for equality increasing
NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE
PRESS RELEASE
Contact:
David Elliot, Communications Director
202-332-6483 ext. 3303
800-757-6476 pager
delliot@ngltf.org
http://www.ngltf.org
1700 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC
*********************************************
SUPPORT FOR GAY AND LESBIAN EQUALITY ON THE RISE,
NGLTF POLICY INSTITUTE STUDY SHOWS
70 percent support right to serve in the military:
Half of Republicans, 74 percent of Democrats back anti-discrimination laws
Dec. 9, 1999 - The U.S. public overwhelmingly supports equal rights and
anti-discrimination protections for lesbians and gay men, and this support
has increased markedly during the 1990s, according to a new report on trends
in public opinion released by the Policy Institute of the National Gay and
Lesbian Task Force. The Policy Institute of the NGLTF is a think-tank
dedicated to research, policy analysis, strategy development and coalition
building to advance the equality and understanding of GLBT people.
According to polling data from 1999, 70 percent of Americans support the
right of gays and lesbians to serve in the military, up from 55 percent in
1992. Surprisingly, while all the Republican presidential candidates oppose
anti-discrimination laws, half of Republican voters support such laws, as do
65 percent of Independents and 74 percent of Democrats.
"From Wrongs to Rights: Public Opinion on Gay and Lesbian Americans Moves
Toward Equality 1973-1999," authored by Columbia University political
scientist Alan Yang, reveals that American public opinion is more supportive
of gays and lesbians than are most lawmakers and politicians. The report
further reveals that this support for equal rights has grown despite a
context of heightened anti-gay activism as well as increased organizing by
gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) activists to pass pro-GLBT
civil rights and hate crime laws. The report tracks trends in public opinion
as measured by questions and polls that ask the same question over time to
national, random samples of the U.S. public.
"Presidential candidates opposing anti-discrimination protections are out of
touch not only with the American electorate, but with the rank and file of
their own party," said Urvashi Vaid, Director of the Policy Institute of the
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. "The overwhelming trend in American
public opinion reveals that we have more allies than foes in our struggle
for basic equal rights."
Over the past two decades the GLBT community has evolved into a valued and
measurable political constituency, with 5 percent of the national electorate
identifying as gay, lesbian, or bisexual (GLB) in national exit polls taken
during the 1996 presidential election, and 4.2 percent identifying as GLB in
the national exit polls taken during the mid-term election of 1998. Public
opinion polls do not yet provide data on public attitudes towards bisexuals
and transgender people, and national exit polls have asked voters to
self-identify as "gay, lesbian or bisexual."
To date, 235 cities and counties and 28 states have enacted have enacted
either civil rights laws or hate crimes laws that include GLBT people. Yet
there are no federal laws outlawing discrimination based upon sexual
orientation in employment or other categories.
"From Wrongs to Rights 1973-1999" documents increased support for gay and
lesbian equality in several areas:
****Today, 83 percent support equal rights in employment and 75 percent
support equal rights in housing.
****In 1996, 68 percent of women and 72 percent of African-Americans
supported anti-discrimination laws for gay men and lesbians. Data reveal
that women are consistently more supportive of anti-discrimination laws than
men (an average of 65 percent of women supported anti-discrimination laws in
four surveys from 1988 to 1996, versus 55 percent of men), and
African-Americans are consistently more supportive of equal employment
rights than white Americans (an average of 68 percent of blacks vs. 60
percent of whites in four surveys from 1988 to 1996).
****In 1998, 55 percent of those surveyed reported having a gay friend or
acquaintance, up from 43 percent in 1994 and 24 percent in 1983. Such data
correlates with increasing support for GLBT rights, supporting the
conclusion that greater knowledge of openly gay or lesbian people fosters
greater tolerance and support for equal rights laws.
****As familiarity with openly gay and lesbian people has increased,
disapproval of same-sex relations has consistently declined since the early
1990s. Gallup reports a drop in disapproval from 57 percent in 1992 to 46
percent in 1999. The National Opinion Research Center tracks a decline in
disapproval from 73 percent in 1990 to 58 percent in 1998.
****61 percent of Americans supported the hiring of gay and lesbian high
school teachers in 1999, up from 27 percent in 1977. In 1997, 63 percent
said school boards shouldn't be able to fire a teacher because he or she is
gay.
****75 percent support the hiring of gay and lesbian doctors in 1999, up
from 53 percent in 1992 and 44 percent in 1977.
****57 percent of self-described conservatives supported the right of gays
and lesbians to serve in the military, as did 70 percent of moderates and 91
percent of liberals, according to a 1996 National Election Study. In 1999 70
percent of all respondents told Gallup that they supported gays and lesbians
serving in the armed forces, up from 55 percent in a National Election Study
poll in 1992. This sharp increase in support occurred against the backdrop
of increased purges of homosexual servicemembers since the "Don't Ask, Don't
Tell" policy was adopted in 1993. Discharges for homosexuality increased 86
percent from 1993 to 1998, according to the Servicemembers Legal Defense
Network.
****Solid majorities support Social Security benefits for the same-sex
partners of gay and lesbian people, as well as inheritance rights for
same-sex spouses.
The Yang study also documents lower levels of support for the rights of gay
and lesbian couples to marry and adopt children. Less than one-third of
respondents support the right to civil marriage for same-sex couples,
according to two 1998 polls (29 percent and 33 percent). And only 36 percent
support the right of same-sex couples to adopt children. Put into context,
Vaid noted, these results are not that surprising. "Same-sex marriage and
same-sex couples adopting children are issues new to the public's
consciousness, just as openly gay people teaching or being doctors were new
concepts 20 years ago. Over time, there is every reason to believe that this
trend will change and that support for gay adoptive parents and for the
rights of same-sex couples will continue to increase."
Vaid cited the fact that same-sex unions are allowed by several European
countries as a sign that governments internationally are changing their
policies. "The marriage issue is one that will be with us into the next
century and one that is of critical importance to many GLBT people," Vaid
said. "We believe that public opinion will change as the debate continues."
Copies of the report are available on the NGLTF web site at
http://www.ngltf.org or may be purchased for $10 by calling 202-332-6483.
____________________________________________________________________
Founded in 1973, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force works to eliminate
prejudice, violence and injustice against gay, lesbian, bisexual and
transgendered people at the local, state and national level. As part of a
broader social justice movement for freedom, justice and equality, NGLTF is
creating a world that respects and celebrates the diversity of human
expression and identity where all people may fully participate in society.
_________________________________________
This message was issued by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
Communications Department. If you have a question regarding this post, please
direct it to the contact at the top of this message.
To reach the NGLTF Communications Department at NGLTF, please call David
Elliot, Communications Director, at 202-332-6483 x3303 or pager 800-757-6476.
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